This is one of those moments that will be looked back on as a turning point.
For the first time in modern history, renewable energy has generated more electricity globally than coal. Sun, wind, water, and other clean sources are now producing more power than the fuel that powered the industrial age.
It didn’t happen overnight. But it did happen because people, communities, and countries chose change.
Why This Is a Big Deal
Coal has been the world’s largest source of electricity for decades. It’s also one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions and air pollution.
Renewables overtaking coal means:
- Cleaner air for millions of people
- Lower carbon emissions at a global scale
- Less dependence on fossil fuels
- A faster path toward climate stability
This isn’t a promise for the future. It’s progress happening now.
What’s Driving the Shift
Several forces came together to make this possible:
- Falling costs – solar and wind are now cheaper than coal in many regions
- Rapid innovation – better batteries, smarter grids, and more efficient systems
- Government policy – renewable targets, incentives, and coal phase-out plans
- Public demand – people want cleaner, safer energy
When technology, economics, and public will align, change accelerates.
A Global Effort
This milestone isn’t owned by one country. It reflects action across continents:
- Solar farms expanding in Asia and Africa
- Wind power surging across Europe and the Americas
- Hydropower and geothermal supporting regional grids
- Communities generating power locally for the first time
Different paths, same direction.
Not the Finish Line
This is a win—but it’s not the end of the story.
Coal is still used. Oil and gas remain deeply embedded in the global system. And total energy demand continues to rise. To truly stabilize the climate, renewables must keep growing fast—and fossil fuels must keep shrinking.
Momentum matters. And right now, momentum is on the side of clean energy.
Where You Come In
This transition didn’t happen without people pushing for it—and it won’t continue without us.
You can help by:
- Supporting renewable energy where you live
- Choosing clean power options if available
- Backing leaders and policies that accelerate the transition
- Talking openly about why clean energy matters
- Adding your voice through the Earth2035 Pledge
Every choice signals demand. Demand drives change.
A Signal of What’s Possible
Renewables surpassing coal doesn’t mean the climate challenge is solved. But it does prove something powerful:
When we decide to move, the world can move faster than we think.
This is what progress looks like—not perfect, not finished, but real. And it’s a reminder that the future isn’t written yet.
We’re building it—together.